"Liverpool are set to announce the signing of Alex Manninger on a one-year contract. The Austrian flew with the squad on Thursday for their US tour, and his signing should be confirmed in the next 24 hours".

This is basically a no-lose deal. At the age of 39, Manninger will not expect to play many (if any) games this season, and he's clearly a better reserve option than Danny Ward, who needs regular game time.

Manninger - who won the league and cup double during his time with Arsenal - still retains a high opinion of Liverpool, and when asked about the club last season (prior to the Reds Europa League games against Augsburg), he raved:

"Liverpool has a history that very few other clubs have. They are simply part of the fabric of English football, and are one of the most famous teams in the world".

Manninger's stats for the last four seasons:

* 60 goals conceded in 39 apps (One every 57 mins)

* 6 clean sheets (One every 575 mins/One every 10 games)

Less than solid, but unless there's an injury disaster, Manninger will be permanently consigned to the training ground. What he will bring, though, is a wealth of experience, and can only be good for Mignolet and Karius.

It's also possible that Klopp may see Manninger as a future goalkeeping coach, which may (partly) explain the decision to bring him the club.

^ Described by ex-Augsburg boss Markus Weinzierl as an 'excellent player' and a 'gift' to Augsburg.